Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

The United Nations calls its 17 Sustainable Development Goals "the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." With a target of achieving them by 2030, the goals are all interconnected and address the global challenges we face.

Goal 2 is "Zero Hunger." As the UN puts it: "The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication."

This series includes stories of sisters around the world working to eradicate hunger.

Click here to return to the full Sustainable Development Goals Collection.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Saint-Marc at Mukachevo, Ukraine, serve food to rescued foreign students before helping them to cross the border. (Courtesy of Ligi Payyappilly)

Nuns in Ukraine rescue, escort stranded foreign students to border

by Thomas Scaria

Mar 7, 2022

"The sisters took us to their convent in their vehicles, hugged each of us with their love and warmth, gave us food, a warm hall to sleep in and escorted us in the morning to cross the Romania border," one student said.

Staff, volunteers and family members of farm director David Hambleton work July 4 to harvest 10,000 garlic bulbs — the supply for this year's CSA members and seed for next year's crop. (Courtesy of Sister Hills Farm)

Rooted in values, sisters' farms grow connections to neighbors, the earth and just model of food production

by Chris Herlinger

Nov 22, 2021

Sisters' community-supported agriculture farms allow congregations to live out their values. They also model a just transition toward a more eco-friendly approach to producing and sharing food and providing alternative to mass-produced, profit-driven corporations.

Educational programs are an important part of Monocacy Farms in Bethlehem, Penn. It's owned and managed by the School Sisters of St. Francis, U.S. Province. (Courtesy of Monocacy Farm Project)

Working farms highlight sisters' 'just relationships with all Creation'

by Chris Herlinger

Nov 22, 2021

While they differ in size, locale and what they grow, sister-run farms across the U.S. share sustainable approaches to farming, whether they be a commitment to organic practices, promoting locally grown food purchased by shareholder members or providing produce to those in need.

Sister Molly, manager of the farm at Deepalaya, run by the Medical Mission Sisters in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India, leads novices in planting. (Courtesy of Celine Paramundayil)

Medical Mission Sisters' Deepalaya farm is an oasis in Madhya Pradesh

by Celine Paramundayil

Oct 14, 2021

At the community Deepalaya ("house of light"), founded in 2006 in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India, the Medical Mission Sisters cultivate food, welcome all creatures (except mosquitos) and care for Mother Earth.

Feature Series ›

Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Nuns in Ukraine rescue, escort stranded foreign students to border

Rooted in values, sisters' farms grow connections to neighbors, the earth and just model of food production

Working farms highlight sisters' 'just relationships with all Creation'

Medical Mission Sisters' Deepalaya farm is an oasis in Madhya Pradesh

Give what you can, take what you need: Catholic sisters join community food pantry effort in the Philippines

Refugees use farm training to survive food shortages during the pandemic

Sisters, humanitarian leaders warn that pandemic may worsen hunger

Amid biting drought, sisters in Zambia fend off hunger with organic farming

Sisters take food pantry ministries outdoors during pandemic

Catholic Relief Services unveils hunger awareness campaign as pandemic hinders access to food

World hunger is its own pandemic: Aid workers brace for second-wave crisis

A look at hunger in Africa during COVID-19: Sisters stepping in

Keeping to $2.86 per day in food, and keeping an eye on food justice

US food justice, part two: Sisters take action to increase access to nutrition

US food justice, part one: Equal access to nutrition determined by economic policy

In Haiti, poverty is the problem, chronic hunger the result

Charleston's Neighborhood House reaches the marginalized through partnerships